ATTENTION: Crown Heights Mediation Center Hosts FREE Mammography Screening; 1/23

WHEN: Wednesday, January 23, 2013

WHERE: Crown Heights Community Mediation Center

256 Kingston Avenue

Brooklyn, NY 11213

All insurance plans and accepted. Co-payments and deductibles are waived. Women should be aged 40 or older, and have been without a mammogram in the past year. Please call (800) 564-6868 to make an appointment.

ATTENTION: Mobile Mammography Available In Crown Heights; 6/13; CrH Mediation Center

Crown Heights residents are encouraged to take advantage of a FREE digital mammogram/ clinical breast exam at a mobile clinic!

It is important that women 40 years and older undergo annual mammograms as early detection of breast cancer can save lives!

Look for the Mobile van at: Crown Heights Community Mediation Center

WHERE: Crown Heights Community Mediation Center
256 Kingston Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11213

WHEN: Wednesday, June 13, 2012
10AM- 5PM

AN APPOINTMENT IS NECESSARY Call 1-877-628-9090 Eligibility Criteria: Women age 40 and older with a New York City mailing address, and no mammogram in the past 12 months.

ATTENTION: Crown Heights Community Mediation Center Hosts FREE Mobile Clinic for Housing Legal Assistance; 5/16

CM James Sponsors "Beautify and Unify" To Encourage CrH/PH Revitalization; 8/20

Council Member Letitia James invites the Crown Heights and Prospect Heights communities to "Beautify and Unify", sponsored by Council Member Letitia James, NYC Community Cleanup, the Crown Heights Mediation Center, The Prospect Heights Street Tree Task Force, and the Executive Director of IKOKO!

The event is Saturday August 20th, beginning 10:00am (participants are encouraged to meet at 9:45am) on the corner of Sterling Place and Nostrand Avenue.

The clean-up day will encourage and assist in the ongoing North Crown Heights revitalization, and include graffiti removal, store front cleaning, garbage removal and street tree care. NYC Community Clean Up will provide these services (with the exception of street tree care) at no cost to the merchants and residents. Prospect Heights Street Tree Task Force will handle tree care which will include soil aeration, mulching, and pruning. The Crown Heights Mediation Center conceived of the clean-up day as a way to support new and existing businesses along Nostrand Avenue.

Council Member James encourages store owners along Nostrand to contact the Brooklyn Solution Center Branch of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, which provide alternate sources of capital and business solutions. Also, we encourage new store owners to access NBAT, New York City business acceleration initiative.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Jonathan Perez at the Office of Council Member Letitia James at 718-260-9191.

Crown Heights Community Mediation Center 2011 Save Our Streets Multimedia Contest

CHMC is seeking talented youth and adult artists to contribute to our antigun violence public education campaign. The goal is to convey the strong message that shooting and killing are not acceptable in Crown Heights.

Your Creativity Could Save a Life- Crown Heights Community Mediation Center, 256 Kingston Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11213, http://crownheightsmediationcenter.blogspot.com/

For questions or to receive the S.O.S. logo for your submission, contact Micah Weiss at mweiss@crownheights.org, or Phone: 718-773-6886 - Fax: 718-773-5349
E-mail: mweiss@crownheights.org http://soscrownheights.blogspot.com/Register and download the full contest guidelines on our blog: soscrownheights.blogspot.com/

The 2011 Save Our Streets Multimedia Contest
• Accepting submissions for Public Service Announcement, Video or Radio Short, and Poster Design categories.  • Winners will have their work appear all over Crown Heights
and receive a monetary reward.  • Deadline for first review round in January 28th, 2011.

ATTENTION: CHMC Seeking Paid Volunteers for NY Juvenile Justice Corps Positions

The Crown Heights Mediation Center is looking for candidates for paid volunteer positions that will start in October 2010. The positions will be offered through a new AmeriCorps program called the New York Juvenile Justice Corps. The program will serve young people currently involved or at risk of becoming involved in the juvenile justice system. Corps members receive a living stipend of $11,100 and an educational award of $5,350. The application deadline is August 30th, 2010.

Things We May Have Neglected To Mention

NYC Department of Education Tries to Close 19 Schools, Gets Sued, Fails

The Teachers Union and the NAACP filed a lawsuit on February 1st in an attempt to stop the DOE's 19 school closings (none of the proposed closings were in the 35th district). On March 26th, a Manhattan judge sided with parents, advocates, and leaders, by voiding the City's decision to close the schools, citing a failure to follow proper processes.

Progressive Caucus

What happens when a dozen progressive City Council members get together? This.

Free Trees In Clinton Hill

Green Fort Greene & Clinton Hill and the FAB Alliance are giving away 200 free trees on Saturday and Sunday, April 17-18. Make your way to the Putnam Triangle in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn (Fulton St and Grand Ave) and leave with a tree to plant on your private property. Planting a tree contributes to neighborhood beautification, lowers air pollution, slows street traffic, and is a fun springtime activity for kids, school classes, church groups, families and friends. Any questions- contact tree@greenfgch.org.

Immigration Application Assistance

The Crown Heights Community Mediation Center is offering free immigration assistance to eligible individuals to complete the application forms. If you are eligible to apply for citizenship, you will be scheduled to meet with a trained volunteer to fill out the N-400/N-600 forms and receive information about the additional requirements to complete your application.
The dates are:
April 7- 9:30am- 12:30pm
April 29- 4pm- 8pm

May 15- 10am - 3pm

Things We May Have Neglected To Mention: Can Affect Your Cream; Gold And Platinum

As you try (continuously) to get money, we'll share what we know about where to look and where to avoid.

ET Computer Supplies and Service
ET, a Brooklyn-based supplies company, has a sales position available. The position is full-time and the seller would be responsible for meeting with companies and potential buyers; helping to establish customer base, and attending trade shows and events (networking). Those interested should have a college degree and two or more years experience in retail selling or customer relations. Please send your resume to wycoff@aol.com.

The Crown Heights Mediation Center
The Mediation Center seeks an Anti-Violence Program Outreach Worker for a new anti-gun violence program. All necessary information can be found here.

Cash4Gold
Via CityRoom- Rep. Anthony Weiner, a man who doesn't mess around when it comes to jewelry exchange, called out Cash4Gold (yes, the one from the late-night infomercials) for supposedly under-paying on the jewelry they're sold ("11 percent to 29 percent of the actual value of valuables sent to them"). According to the blog, the Congressman will place a request to the Federal Trade Commission to investigate their practices. We also encourage anyone looking to sell jewelry to seek out an established appraisal business.

ATTENTION: Crown Heights Mediation Center Hosts Leadership, Entrepreneurship Programs

The Crown Heights Mediation Center is hosting free programming for community members, youth, parents and professionals.

Leadership Training Institute:
-Learn networking, fundraising, community organizing, event planning, working with the media and coalition building.

-Build relationships with a team of committed, caring, and concerned individuals who want to make Crown Heights a better place.

-Plan a community project.

-Meets twice a month at Crown Heights Mediation Center, 4:00-7:00pm.

-Excellent for teachers and staff, PTA members, and community members.

-Deadline: January 20th

Youth Entrepreneurship Program
-Free program for young women ages 17-21.

-Learn photography, graphic design, and entrepreneurial skills while forming friendships with other young women from the different races, religions, and cultures in Crown Heights.

-Create and implement a business plan. Make money and receive a cash award upon completion of the program.

-Deadline: January 18th

[The CH Mediation Center is also offering a great professional development program for a small fee.]

Train-the-Trainer Conflict Resolution

-March 19, 2010

-Learn to train young people to respond to conflict in a thoughtful, non-violent way.

-Skills taught include active listening, interpersonal development, bias awareness, decision-making, problem solving, and presentation skills.

-Excellent for teachers, guidance counselors, and other staff members.

-Call the Mediation Center at 718-773-6886 for more information including cost per person.

You can learn more about the Crown Heights Mediation Center through the website and blog: http://www.crownheightsmediationcenter.blogspot.com/. The applications for these programs are available in electronic copy on their blog, and in hard copy at their office. There are a few applications available for pick-up at the district office of CM James.

ATTENTION: Holiday Jobs for Youth!

LOOKING TO PUT SOME MONEY IN YOUR POCKET? JOBS FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON ARE HIRING NOW!

These Atlantic Mall Stores are hiring:

RadioShack– Apply online at http://www.jobsatradioshack.com/
Bath and Body Works– Print application online at http://www.bathandbodyworks.com/
Victoria’s Secret– Print application online at http://www.victoriassecret.com/
Target– Apply online at http://www.target.com/, or ask at an in-store kios
Payless Shoes– Apply online at http://www.careersatpayless.com/
DSW– Apply in person
Old Navy– Apply online at www.gapinc.com/storejobs
Marshalls– Apply online at http://www.tjxjobs.com/
Burlington Coat Factory– Apply in store

These stores on or near Fulton Street are hiring:

Cookies Department Store– 510 Fulton Street (see Mr. Rose)
Young World Inc.*- 492 Fulton Street (see Vivian)
Pretty Girl Inc.– 490 Fulton Street
Footlocker– Duffield and Elm Street (see Darryl)
Toystore Inc.*- 468 Duffield Street (see Marisol)
Conway*- 505 Fulton Street (see Menachem)
Closeout Connection– 50 Court Street (see Michael)

Note: Stores with a (*) require a reference letter. See the Crown Heights Community Mediation Center for assistance, which can be reached at 718-733-6886 or chcmcblog@gmail.com.
The center is located at 256 Kingston Avenue, Brooklyn, NY. 11213.

Anti-Gun Violence Mural Painting

Please join Crown Heights youth to paint a powerful and beautiful anti-gun violence mural on the wall of the Alternative Learning Center

Tuesday, August 4th, 2009
11:00am – 1:00pm
Brooklyn Ave. and Prospect Pl.

For more information, contact the Crown Heights Community Mediation Center at 718-773-6886

Crown Heights Re-entry Fair: Follow Up

Re-Entry Resource Fair

"Re-adjusting within the community for formerly incarcerated individuals is often a difficult experience. It is argued that they do not receive adequate facilities during their time in prison to equip them upon their release. The goal of the fair was to assist formerly incarcerated people to rehabilitate them into society in order for successful integration into the community."- Council Member Letitia James

The Re-Entry Resource fair for formerly incarcerated individuals and their families took place on November 22nd at Calvary Community Church in Crown Heights. It produced a great turnout, and many formerly incarcerated individuals were assisted on issues concerning housing, legal advocacy, counseling, family services, education, employment and career development, medical services, substance abuse treatment, and spiritual resources. Channel 12 were on hand to cover the event, and interviewed both Council Member James and individuals from Crown Heights Mediation Center, who were working closely with our office to ensure that the event was a success.


















































(Tish, British Intern/International Communications Specialist Faye Biggin, and Crown Heights Mediation Center's Molly Spevack)

CROWN HEIGHTS MEDIATION CENTER: LEADERSHIP TRAINING PROGRAM!

CONTACT: Mollie Spevack
PHONE: 718-773-6886
EMAIL: mspevack@crownheights.org


(New York, December 3, 2008)- The Crown Heights Community Mediation Center is set to hold a Leadership Training Institute to help leaders in the community develop leadership skills. This free six month program is set to get underway in the middle of January.

The Leadership Training Institute is designed to further strengthen the leadership skills of a diverse group of up-and-coming leaders in Crown Heights. Participants will attend skill oriented trainings led by experts in the field on such topics as coalition building, community organizing, fundraising and grant writing, media strategies, networking, and event planning. These leaders will then have the chance to collaborate together and plan a community-wide event, building on the strengths of Crown Heights and addressing issues where the neighborhood can develop. The Leadership Training Institute creates an opportunity for community members to build open relationships with one another. This coalition of leaders will hopefully be able to work together to leverage resources and tackle long-term problems of Crown Heights.

The Institute will meet once or twice a month on Wednesday evenings from January thru June for a total or 25 training hours.

Last year’s participants helped plan a photography contest that is currently on exhibit at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum. Applications are currently available and can be accessed online at http://www.courtinnovation.org/leadershipapplication.pdf. If you have questions or would like more information, please contact the Crown Heights Community Mediation Center.

About the Crown Heights Community Mediation Center: The Mediation Center is a unique neighborhood institution that works to improve community problem-solving, collaboration, and inter-group relations in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. Operating out of a storefront office since 1998, the Mediation Center seeks innovative ways to promote community cohesion in our neighborhood, known for fragmentation. This includes providing residents with links to resources on issues like education, parenting, housing, and immigration; providing support to young people navigating the challenges of a community tainted by violence, drugs, and poverty; and galvanizing neighborhood, borough, and city stakeholders in order to improve the quality of life for all residents.

COUNCIL MEMBER LETITIA JAMES, CROWN HEIGHTS MEDIATION CENTER HOST A RE-ENTRY RESOURCE FAIR, SAT. NOV. 22ND, 1PM-3PM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 19, 2008

COUNCIL MEMBER LETITIA JAMES, CROWN HEIGHTS MEDIATION CENTER, ALONG WITH CHURCHES, AND RESIDENTS OF CROWN HEIGHTS INVITE YOU TO A RE-ENTRY RESOURCE FAIR, FOR FORMERLY INCARCERATED INDIVIDUALS AND THEIR FAMILIES ON SATURDAY, NOV. 22ND, FROM 1PM–3PM

The goal of the Re-Entry Resource Fair is to assist formerly incarcerated people with rehabilitation for successful integration into society, the community, and the workforce.

Re-adjusting within the community for formerly incarcerated individuals is often a difficult experience. It has been argued that incarcerated persons do not receive adequate resources during their time in prison to equip them upon their release.

Within the employment environment, the formerly incarcerated face limited opportunities, as well as discrimination from potential employers. The U.S. Department of Justice states that, in 2007, 30% of people released from prison are rearrested in the first six months following release, 44% in the first year, and 67.5% in the first three years. This can partly be explained by inappropriate planning at the end of an inmate’s jail or prison term as well as a lack of employment opportunities and affordable housing upon release. The Independent Committee on Reentry and Employment reports that up to 60% of formerly incarcerated individuals are unemployed, as are 89% of those who violate parole or probation. Yet, if an individual has a job at the start and end of a supervised release from jail or prison, federal court statistics show that the success rate is 85%.

Finding housing for formerly incarcerated individuals is also a difficulty. Private property owners typically inquire into the background of individuals and often deny housing to anyone with a criminal background. Before1988, public housing was a solution to this issue. Ex-offenders were placed on a list like all other public housing applicants and considered based on a number of factors, including age, marital and parental status. However, Congress removed this through an amendment to the public housing statute, adopting a one-strike eviction policy for tenants in federal public housing who engage in certain types of criminal behavior. It has become virtually impossible for formerly incarcerated individuals to find stable and suitable housing.

The Re Entry Resource Fair is an opportunity for formerly incarcerated individuals, and their families, to gain professional and unbiased information on many issues that affect their everyday lives. The fair will contain information on Housing, Legal Advocacy, Counseling, Family Services, Education, Employment and Career Development, Medical Services, Substance Abuse Treatment, and Spiritual Resources.

What: Re-Entry Resource Fair for formerly incarcerated individuals and their families

Who: The Formerly Incarcerated, Churches and Residents

When: Saturday, November 22nd, from 1:00 pm until 3:00 pm

Where: Calvary Community Church, 1575 St Johns Place (at the corner of Buffalo Avenue), Brooklyn

Contact: Faye Biggin at (212) 788-7081, and CHCMC at 718-773-6886

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